Before you can study types of lipids, you have to know about their basic structures. There are two types of MONOMERS, or bases of Lipids, and they are three Fatty Acids and a nitrogen-containing Phosphate group. The lipids formed by this combination of bases are called Triphosphates.
More about Fats
Since the fatty acid tails of lipids are Hydrophobic, they do not disolve in water. This is evident when you observe oil on water, because the oil will seperate and not disolve. So it is with almost all lipids. There are also two types of triglycerides: Saturated and Unsaturated. Saturated fats have fatty acid tails that are "kinked" chains (b), where there is a double bond on one of the carbons. This causes unsaturated fats to take up more space not condense so thickly, meaning they are more healthy since they will not be as consentrated.
Unsaturated fats have unkinked carbon chains (a). This causes them to be more consentrated, and therefore less health.
Types of Lipids
There are three basic types of lipids, each with their own seperate function. Triglycerides were discussed above, but there are two other important types:
Hormones - Hormones are used to carry messages in the body. They are produced, transported and read by various cells to cause metabolic changes in the body of animals. Cholesterol, a type of body "fat" and Cortosone, used in many medical treatments, are good examples of these.
2) Really advanced information, for the more advanced student, and great pictures for all
3) Good, simple information, well presented and relativly short